I’m calling you out!!!! On a roll … call, here’s where you can read about the amazing accomplishments of Sisters who earn Merit Badges. “Hear YE!”
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Kristin Sievert!
Kristin Sievert (KESinMN, #6020) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning an Intermediate Level Quilting Merit Badge!
“I fell in love with the paisley type fabrics. We thought a quilt pattern that allowed for large pieces to highlight those patterns would be best. I finally found an aardvark pattern and thought it would suit the fabrics.
I then started hunting for secondary (smaller print) & tertiary (more solid) fabrics to complement.
I volunteered to use this quilt as a sacrificial penguin on my mother’s new quilting machine. She got some practice on her new toy and I got my quilt quilted.
I quilted with a quilt group as well as my mother throughout the process. This was not a just a 20-hr project, it was more like 200 from first fabric purchase to finishing the binding.
Finding enough fabrics was the first challenge. Tertiary fabrics were easier than smaller prints for the secondary fabrics.
The diamond pattern was WAY harder than I thought. We ended up having plexiglass templates made to speed up the process.
The completed top sat for a while, then became a guinea pig for my mother to practice on her new quilt machine. Then the quilted project sat again because I was in no hurry to finish it.
When I decided to go after the Glamping badge, I realized this would make a good starting point.”
Winnie Nielsen says: Congratulations Kristin on your interesting and successful quilt project! I wish I could see what you did as it sounds like it came out very pretty. I also love that you were able to be a part of a quilt group on this project. It must have been fun being a part of a tradition of women that has been a part of our American history for generations.
Cindi says: I think I would like to have one of these beauties instead of a dog. Then again, having both would be heaven.
MaryJane says: I know where you can get one:)
Cindi says: 😀 I kind of don’t think my landlord would appreciate it. But I would in a split second if I could!!
Lisa Von Saunder says: How now brown cow with all the spots? which darling calf are you?
MaryJane says: This is Lizzy, born the end of April. Super mellow and very sweet.
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh how I love her spots!! She is a beauty.
Lizzy is the perfect name too.
Carrie McMurran says: What a Beauty!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Lorraine says: Wow, to have eyelashes like that!
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Heather Bedford!
Heather Bedford (nnfolkways, #7462) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner Level UFOs Merit Badge!
“I was working on de-cluttering my craft area when I realized I had several unfinished projects. I placed each project worth continuing in a bag along with necessary supplies (I started with 11). A few days later, I grabbed a bag and got to work. I worked on it off-and-on for about two days when I was able to squeeze in a few minutes to myself.
It turned out well. The purse started as a market bag, but I didn’t like the way it seemed to bulge. I then decided it would be a purse and went off pattern to add a different style strap and enclosure.”
Winnie Nielsen says: This UFO project turned out very nice, Heather. I like the pretty colored yarn you used as well. Great job! Enjoy using your new purse.
Winnie Nielsen says: Is that a Pumpkin Spice donut? Or even better, Apple Cider donut? It looks like the baked kind which is my favorite. The pairing today with the coffee has my mouth watering!
MaryJane says: It’s a donut from a recipe in my bread book. Home stretch. It’s due next Monday.
Winnie Nielsen says: Hugs and good wishes to you for this last big push. I can’t wait to try out this recipe when I get a copy of your Bread Book!!! I used the mini apple pie filling recipe for Sunday’s apple pie and used a regular crust. Man, was it the perfect mix of spices and sugar. I used new crop Honey Crisp apples which seemed to be a great choice for flavor and holding up to baking.
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Joyce Hein!
Joyce Hein (GinghamGirl, #6071) has received a certificate of achievement in Farm Kitchen for earning a Beginner Level BakeOver MakeOver Merit Badge!
“I utilized the recipes found in MaryJane’s Ideabook to cook up some delicious bakeovers. We used what we had in our garden. I hosted the family, and we explored a variety of ways to make the bakeovers, from veggies to dessert!
Everyone loved them, particularly me, as they’re so quick and easy to make.”
Winnie Nielsen says: Fantastic Joyce!! When I first read about MaryJane’s BakeOver technique when I purchased her book about 5 years ago, it has added countless delicious meals in my cast iron skillet . Having your own garden to work from is way more interesting than clearing out
my refrigerator . Congratulations on having your work and inspiration posted here on MaryJane’s blog!! I would have loved to be one of the people tasting the delicious creations you came up with too.
Winnie Nielsen says: Some of the last of Summer’s glorious flowers to cheer up any day.
terry steinmetz says: oh, how beautiful!
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Ginger Dawn Harman!
Ginger Dawn Harman (Ginger Dawn, #6451) has received a certificate of achievement in Outpost for earning a Beginner Level Pampered Pets Merit Badge!
“I have made a new commitment to our pets Oreo and Gelato! I have a veterinarian in my area that practices holistic and natural veterinary care but also uses other practices.
I checked out the labels and ingredients of your pet foods. It was very bad. So I am in the process of changing foods.
I love all the pets in my house … well maybe not the Madagascar Hissing Roaches that my son has. Nevertheless, I want to make sure that I am doing the best for each animal. Our one cat has a bit of a weight problem. We have noticed that in his older age, he is not able to clean himself very well. So I made an appointment at our local vet and this also provided me a great opportunity to learn what treatments are better and which food to use.
First, the food that I was using was very bad. It was filled with terrible stuff. I don’t want to cause a negative impression, so I will not list the name, but it is cheap and can be bought at any local market. The vet said it is not good to switch food all at once, so my cats are getting a mix until next week. We now are using a Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Dry Cat Food (15-pound bag).
Oh, and I learned that essential oils are great for pets, too. Just like for us, lavender is great for calming. Now this is important to know! Most animals are more sensitive than humans to essential oils. Start by diluting heavily and use in moderation. Every animal is different, so carefully observe how each animal responds to the oils. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods. Take special care to not get essential oils in an animal’s eyes. Avoid using high-phenol oils such as oregano and thyme with any animals, especially cats. Use special caution when using essential oils with cats. Cats are also generally averse to citrus essential oils.
Also, there are other holistic methods that can be used, such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic treatments. My vet showed me a few calming massage rubs for Oreo, and he was happy and relaxed and this is on his diet food. Personally, I get crabby when I am hungry. As I said, I love my pets and they deserve the same quality of care as we humans do!”
Lisa Von Saunder says: Good for you Ginger! My kitties are on Iams and that is good for them. James Earl Jones ( aka Earl ) and B.B. KIng ( notice the “royal” blood ) love it and seem fine with it. Occasional natural treats and sometimes Iams canned food . Frankie my outdoor kitty doesn’t like the Iams ( go figure) so he is on the “Purina Cat Chow naturals” not too bad for a cheap food.
Be aware Ginger that most essential oils are very poisonous for cats as they ingest it directly by licking their coats. I would NEVER use them directly, however diluted, on any animal. Please do your homework. I had a friend who killed her cats using pennyroyal oil for fleas, just because its natural doesn’t mean it is safe.
The adorable, always humorous MBA Jane is my way of honoring our Sisterhood Merit Badge program, now with 7,428 dues-paying members who have earned an amazing number of merit badges so far—10,782 total! Take it away, MBA Jane!!! ~MaryJane
Wondering who I am? I’m Merit Badge Awardee Jane (MBA Jane for short). In my former life …
For this week’s Farmyard to Kitchen Young Cultivator Expert Level Merit Badge, Andy, Nora, Piper, and Yours Truly were ready for action. We had earned our Beginner and Intermediate Level badges (and no one was harmed in the making of those badges, fowl or bovine or small children or Aunty), and we were ready to progress.
First things were first: raising baby chicks or learning to milk a cow?
Since Buttercup the Cow Princess was looking rather askance at us (talk about mooooooo-dy), we decided on chicks. Or, Baby Balls of Fluffy Cuteness, as Piper described them with stars in her eyes.
“Yes, they’re adorable right now, but let’s remember: when they are no longer shiny and new, you don’t get to drop them off at Aunty’s house, okiedokie?” I reminded them. I had heard tell of a childhood phenomenon: adopting delightful pet babies and then losing interest in them posthaste, leaving the chores to be done by their mothers.
Just another reason why I was never a kid. Fresh out of the box as a grown woman, that’s me.
But I digress.
“We’d never stop loving our Cotton Balls of Puffy Fluffy Loviekins!” Piper was insulted.
“I’m naming mine Ryan Gosling,” said Nora, who was really into movie stars lately. “Get it? Gosling? Ha!”
“Goslings are baby ducks, dummy,” said Andy.
“Nuh uh, they’re baby geese, dork-head,” she fired back.
“No arguments!” I broke in. “Arguing in front of hens makes bad layers. It’s science.”
We got our little chickies home that evening and set up their cozy new house: a large Rubbermaid container with straw and a heat lamp, food, and water. And Piper’s additions: half a Barbie’s Dream House, a few stuffed animals, some baby blankets, and a medley of soft rock playing in the background.
After I armed them with an stack of library books on how to raise happy chickens, a list of Things Not To Do (in my days as Aunty, I’ve learned those are much more applicable to their mischievous little minds than lists of Things To Do), and my number written on the fridge in case of Chicken Emergencies, I went home for a little nap.
The next day, after checking in on Ryan Gosling, Mrs. David Bock-Bock-Beckham, and Lady Clucks-A-Lot, we finished up our badge earning with a little butter making.
“I don’t really like butter,” Andy said.
I had a small stroke and had to be revived by the local paramedics. Afterwards, while recovering with a nice bread and butter sammie and a cup of tea, I decided to get to the bottom of Andy’s sacrilegious comment.
“What did you mean you don’t like butter?” I croaked, still weak. I dunked my sammie in my tea for extra nourishment.
“Well, I don’t know, Aunty,” he said. “I just don’t think it tastes all that great. Kinda oily and greasy, if you ask me.”
“I did not ask you, whippersnapper!”
“Yeah, you did.”
“Oh yes. Right. Fetch me this so-called butter, youngster. Chop, chop.”
He complied, rolling his eyes all the way (I nearly threw my sammie at the back of his head, but I’d finished it). He returned with …
GASP.
I can hardly say it. Here you try and try with these kids, you nurture, you give and give, blood, sweat, tears … wasted.
It was a crock.
A plastic crock.
A plastic crock of butter impostors.
Fake butter product.
Processed, pasturized, yellow-food-coloring laden, oil.
The rest of the Expert Level earning will have to wait. Tell the paramedics to get back here.
Fading. Fading.
Going towards the light.
Goodbye, cruel world.
Karlyne says: I don’t even know Andy, but I’m fading, too. Gasp, choke, I hear the sirens coming for meeee…
MaryJane says: Thanks for my smile this morning, Karlyne:):):)
Karlyne says: Luckily, my local farmer’s stand was on the way to the hospital so the EMTs were able stop and load me up with organic butter. And cream for my coffee. I’m fine now…
MaryJane says: Really big smile.
Karlyne says: 😊
Krista says: Too funny! I remember the first time I made my own butter. I was in school and we all worked together as a team to make it. I remember falling in love with the taste right then and there. I can’t wait to do these badges with my boys and watch them raise chickens.
Winnie Nielsen says: Katie barr the door ’cause the wind and rains are a’comin” !!
I have my daughter’s kitty here since she had three dogs she has to keep in her house and they might gang up on her. Poor girl, she is under the bed and Bump hasn’t even given her the time of day. He is napping away like usual and doing an inventory of all the stuff from outside that is now inside. It has been a busy morning for the “House Manager”!! LOL!! Right now, it will be late evening and through tomorrow afternoon that we will get whatever is going to happen. I have already dug into the chocolate but was smart enough to grab some small boxes of Newman’s Organic raisins to have on hand for a healthy alternative.
MaryJane says: Love your update Winnie. Hanging onto every detail because I’ve been trying so hard to picture your situation. Also, it sounds like Mr. Bump is doing pretty good these days, right? I’ve been worried about him. Big hugs this morning!
Winnie Nielsen says: Thank-you for your extra hugs as I might be needing them come about 4am when we are in the thick of things! Yes, our Mr.Bump has been doing better. Last week, the vet thought he might be seriously going down hill. She gave me a kitty narcotic to help ease his pain which I gave Mon.,Tues, and Wed. It helped him tremendously and I haven’t needed to give him any since then. I have figured out that one big problem for him is the awful arthritis in his left knee that has been progressing for the past year from an acute injury two years ago when he was ripping around the yard on a chilly morning and misjudged his jump onto the porch, slamming into it instead. Arthritis is painful but not necessarily terminal like pancreatitis could be. When he is in pain, it is obvious. He has a hard time walking and his left leg will sometimes quiver when he stands on it. So now, I am wondering if some of his problems have been related to his leg. Or a combination of both. However, I am feeling more confident that we still have some quality time left with him as the past 4 days have been really normal. Last week, I didn’t know what to worry about the most: impending hurricane or a possibly dying kitty. I will take every good day I can get with Bump!
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
A fence post birdhouse is very clever indeed. Nothing like real estate with a view and high enough for protection.